June 2021 - part 4!

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We filled up the other thread already!

Ring your midwife if you're worried, that's what they're there for :)

@Waitingforbabypage I agree, call them :)

My little one was very quiet yesterday & I was seen at the hospital within half an hour of calling x

Is anyone else considering a home birth? I really don't know what to do. It's my third birth. First was vaginal no issues, second was emcs due to position. I know they won't be keen at all as they like continuous monitoring after csection incase of uterine rupture but the chances of that are so low at only 0.5% so 99.5% chance everything would be fine. I'm still traumatised by my last birth and I feel like I want my mum to be there as well as my husband and I'm also considering a doula. I wouldn't be able to have either of those with a hospital birth in the current circumstances. At home I could have a pool birth which I really want but on the labour ward they only have one pool. I would feel more comfortable at home as well I think. I have a midwife appt Monday so will raise it then but I just can't commit to a decision at the moment even though I think it's what I want.

hey @lucieloos! the advice I've heard is that if you think you'd be interested in a home birth it's worth making plans for one, and then if you change your mind at the last minute you can always go into hospital. I'd let your midwife know you're interested in it so they can help you plan, but again, they would never say no if you decided after all you feel more comfortable going with another option later on.

@lucieloos I am also in 2 minds about a home birth or a stand alone birth centre. I’m dead set against a hospital labour birth or being on a ward unless medically essential.

I talked to my midwife who happened to be part of the home birth team before it got put on hold due to covid and she said I can have my next appointment at the stand alone birth centre and meet the team and see the place and then decide what I want to do. It’s worth talking to your midwife and seeing if they can help you decide :)

@AlRRRR yes I feel the same I can't imagine myself on a labour ward strapped up to machinery and barely able to move around which is what they want for me at the moment. It makes me feel really sad as although my first birth went fairly smoothly I still ended up strapped to the machines because of meconium in her waters and then second birth was just awful really. This will be our last baby and I feel like I need to do something differently and make it how I want it to try and make up for the trauma of the previous births. I know it may not go to plan and I could end up being transferred in for something or other but I feel like I should try. The thought of giving birth again does worry me and make me anxious at the moment. I just don't know what to do. I know I will probably be up against a battle to get a home birth but I don't think they can say no if you've made an informed decision.

Have you had a previous csection or straight forward births? Your midwife sounds nice.

@northerngal20 yes that makes sense. When I think of this birth I see it being at home but because Im worried about the birth in general I just don't really know what to do for the best but I guess if I do like you suggest and start enquiring and making plans for a home birth I could always change my mind later if I really want to.

@lucieloos She is okay, I’ve only met her twice 🤣🤣. But I just talked to her about wanting to avoid a hospital / labour ward at all costs as this is where, like you said you’re more likely to be strapped to a machine etc. I have 1 child and her birth was Okay, just a bit long, dragged on a bit 🤣🤣🤣🤣 needed 7 stitches but totally my fault, they said don’t push, I pushed haha!

I was at a stand alone birth centre and made to transfer in a taxi as my heart rate was high, only due to anxiety, and I went to another birth centre attached to a hospital and they were constantly taking me to this room for monitoring and trying to get me to the labour ward, etc but nothing was going wrong really, so yea, that’s why I want to avoid it!

@lucieloos that makes total sense you're worried about the birth in general. Hopefully your midwife can offer you some guidance about what she thinks would be best. I listened to this interesting podcast about hypnobirthing (not sure if that's something you're interested in, but if you are it's called 'The Hypnobirthing Podcast' on apple podcasts - i thought it was great!) which offers some really positive stories about birth after a c-section and advice on deciding where to give birth (episodes 5 and 13)

How is everyone doing stretchmark wise? I just discovered mine this morning hiding on the underside of my tummy where I couldnt see them :(

@curiouscat1987 none yet but I am fully prepared for my stripes, mum had loads. Although I used to be really big so have had previous stretch marks which have faded to almost nothing, so maybe skin is able to tolerate for a little while longer.

@curiouscat1987 I've got the beginnings around my belly button. My belly goes in at the belly button with two rolls either side so I sort of expect the middle bit to stretch out and end up with stretch marks. A couple starting on my hips and I've got some new ones in my groin area too. My mum got them though so I'm fully expecting them no matter how much I moisturise lol

So I've been on the day unit all day. Can't fault the midwives at all.
Just before I went in, I experienced some spotting which freaked me right out!

I've had bloods done which came back fine, my bp was a little low, they checked for a bleed but there's no evidence of an active bleed and my cervix is closed and waaay up high.

The best we can come up with is my feeling crap because I'm so stressed (thanks to my ex- long story) and my pgp is causing my muscles to cramp.

@curiouscat1987 my skin is a bit funky around my belly button.

@Waitingforbabypage glad to hear that all’s well with baby. Have a relaxing evening

@Waitingforbabypage - glad to hear you are OK. Sorry to hear you are suffering with the PGP too. I totally get where you are coming from. I often end up in tears with it too. I saw a midwife yesterday and she said buy a really massive silk nightie to make it easier to roll over in bed (well it helps you to slide around easier ). Not very glamorous but might help a bit. I know turning over at night is one of the most painful things for me! I also asked her about taking paracetamol which she said was totally fine and I have found that really takes the edge off the pain.
I hope you get a chance to relax a bit tonight. Take some time for yourself if you can

@waitingforbabypage Glad you're both ok, that must have been scary!

If you've had a emcs before, are you allowed to give birth anywhere but the hospital ward? I've been told not, but I dont know if it's guidance or strict rules?

I found some stretch marks on my sides yesterday 😣 Gutted because I had none last time so now feel like I must be massive!

For those of you with PGP, if it's possible for you seeing a private physio face to face is absolutely worth it. I had been doing the recommended exercises since 18 weeks but it was getting worse anyway. When I was struggling to walk round the house between furniture I saw a physio privately. I had some manual manipulation and trigger point release then was guided through exercises different to what I'd been doing. I can walk comfortably at home and about 15 minutes out and about now. The exercises relieve the pain quite a bit too. I know others have had good results with McTimony chiropractors. I think the manual manipulation but is important. It is excruciating pain, I hope you're all coping ok.

I've got small stretch marks at the bottom on my stomach already, weirdly got them really early on at about 10 weeks despite having absolutely no bump then. And a pretty small bump even now tbh. Was surprised because I've never had any before and I know alot of people get them through puberty etc, always just thought I wasn't prone to them.
Anyway they're not too bad and I'm not too bothered at the moment, though I must admit I would hate it if I was covered in them 😅

@northerngal20 thank you I will check it out. I am doing hypnobirthing this time and have just finished the book by the positive birth company which I thought was really good.

@Opticabbage its guidance really as they can't deny you a home birth but they can try and make things quite difficult and you really have to stand your ground with it in some cases I think.

@curiouscat1987 none yet but fully expect to get them , I have been using bio oil and apparently palmers cocoa butter is good but then I reckon if it's genetic they will happen no matter what .

I’m seeing my usual Osteopath, and just been to her yday and she did some manual manipulations, alongside some muscle releases and some trigger points and it feels much better today. I only have mild pubic bone pain when I lean in either side or turn over in bed but it has helped ease it a lot and everything is moving so much easier! My midwife just said it’s just a pregnancy thing but my private osteo has really helped!

I haven’t got any stretch marks and did not get any with 1st pregnancy. My mum didn’t either :)

I only appear to have stretch marks so far on the side of one boob 🤷‍♀️ None on my stomach so far but i am still quite small bump wise compared to a lot of people so they may appear. My mum had 4 children and didn't really get any so maybe I might be okay. Who knows haha!

Weirdly I got some stretch marks on my thighs in my first trimester which didn't make any sense as I hadn't gained weight or changed shape so I don't know if it was hormones or the skin preparing or something. I haven't had any since then but wouldn't be surprised if I get some more.

Had my 24 week appointment today (due 28/06) and all was fine. I asked her about weight gain or my lack of as posted on here a few weeks ago. She said in terms of growth they don’t really go off weight anymore and it’s more calculated with measurements that she’ll take from 28 weeks onwards. She said shes seen it all, ladies who have put on 3 stone who had 5lb babies and ladies who didn’t gain and had 9lb babies, so basically told me not to worry at all!
I also have a low lying placenta - it’s not on the cervix just next to but she also said she would expect that to move up nicely by the time baby’s ready. Also heard his heartbeat and he was busy wriggling around! 💙

So car seats... I know you have to bring them in so the midwife can see the baby in it before you leave hospital. Mines just arrived - Maxi Cosi 360... its fixed in the car... I won't be able to take it in and show them... surely I can't be the only one. What do they do?